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FIRST ON FOX: Orem, UTAH — Police have arrested a suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus earlier this week – identified by sources as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident.
Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two, was sitting under a tent around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, debating with students on hot-button current affairs issues, when a single shot rang out. Video from the scene shows him struck in the neck before he slumped out of his chair.
He had been invited to speak at Utah Valley University by the campus chapter of Turning Point USA, a national conservative student group he founded.
“I think with a high-degree of certainty, we have him,” President Donald Trump revealed on “Fox & Friends” Friday morning. He added that, “essentially, someone who knew him turned him in.”
TIMELINE OF CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION
The booking photos for Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspected in the Utah assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. (Utah Gov. Spencer Cox)
PERSON OF INTEREST IN CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION PICTURED IN PHOTOS RELEASED BY FBI
Trump said he hopes the suspect gets the death penalty if found guilty. He also explained how investigators found the suspect — with help from a minister, a member of the U.S. Marshals Service and the suspect’s father.
“We have the person that we think is the person we’re looking for, but they drove into the police headquarters, and he’s there now,” Trump said.
Sources told Fox News that Robinson’s father played a role in his surrender. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said during a press briefing Friday morning that the suspect’s family “did the right thing.” Relatives and his roommate cooperated with investigators, he said.
Cox revealed that police also recovered spent casings and unfired rounds with writing on them.The etchings included the phrases, “Notices,” “bulges,” “OWO,” “what’s this?” “Hey fascist! Catch!” “Bella ciao bella ciao ciao,” “If you read this, you are gay LMAO” and a series of arrows, one pointing up, one pointing to the right, and three pointing down.
A split showing four newly-released photographs of the person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s assassination on Sept. 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. (Utah Public Safety)
Robinson allegedly discussed details of the crime with his roommate on the Discord app, sending messages about stowing and retrieving a rifle from a “drop point,” Cox said. He allegedly mentioned disposing of it wrapped in a towel, mentioned engraving the bullets and that the scope and rifle were “unique.”
Cox identified the suspected murder weapon as a bolt-action Mauser .30-06.
COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRK
Witnesses screamed in horror and fled for cover after the bullet struck Kirk in the neck. He was rushed to a hospital and later pronounced dead.
Other video circulating online appears to show a dark-clad figure on a rooftop. Authorities said the gunshot came from about 200 yards away, likely from a perch atop the Losee Center building, which is on the opposite side of the plaza from where Kirk was speaking.
The discussion also referred to a change of outfits. Cox said the suspect was allegedly arrested in clothes he was seen wearing before the shooting, which are different from the ones he was allegedly wearing at the time of the crime.
Authorities also tracked his car, a gray Dodge Challenger, from the UVU campus to his home.
Charlie Kirk appears at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
“This is what happens when you let good cops be cops,” FBI Director Kash Patel told reporters at the news briefing.
Investigators recovered a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle” along the route the suspect is believed to have used to escape, according to FBI Salt Lake City Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls.
The FBI released images of a man in black they were calling a “person of interest” in connection with the shooting. Bohls said they also found a palm print, footprint and imprint from a forearm.
Fox News Digital witnessed investigators collecting a surveillance camera from the side of a home on a street adjacent to the campus.
VIGILS HELD ACROSS US AFTER ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK: ‘WE MUST HEAL’
Investigators retrieve a home security camera from above a resident’s garage after the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox News Digital)
The homeowner said the camera recorded someone running through backyards after the shooting.
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This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.